The Jacksons - Be Not Always

* Produced by Michael Jackson* Composed by Michael Jackson and Marlon Jackson

Written and produced by Michael, with additional lyrics by brother Marlon.

Although it is effectively a solo cut by Michael, it featured on the Jacksons' album Victory, released in July 1984.

Titled Always, Be Not Always, it is one of five songs hand-written by Michael circa 1979 - lyrics included in a personal notebook, with young actor Mark Lester on the cover, that formed part of a 10,000+ piece of collection of Jackson memorabilia purchased by Universal Express and some of its entertainment partners, in November 2006.

Be Not Always - Lyrics

Always, be not alwaysAnd if alwaysBow our heads in shameAlways, please be not alwaysAnd if alwaysBow our heads in blame’Cause time has made promisesJust promises

Faces, did you see their facesDid they touch youHave you felt such painTo have nothingTo dream somethingThen lose hopingIs not life but lameBut time has made promisesJust promises

Mothers cry, babies dieHelplessly in armsWhile rockets flyAnd research liesIn progress to becomeBut what of menOf flesh and bloodWe turn our backs on lifeHow can we claim to stand for peaceWhen the races are in strifeDestroying life

Always, be not alwaysBut if alwaysBow our heads in shameAlways, please, please be not always’Cause if alwaysBow our heads in blame’Cause time, time has made promisesDeath promises

Impossible don´t cry.... MJ always saying the truth...My fav. part:Mothers cry, babies die Helplessly in arms While rockets fly And research lies In progress to become But what of men Of flesh and blood We turn our backs on life How can we claim to stand for peace When the races are in strife Destroying life

first time I heard this beautiful song in 1988 on the radio. I exactly remember the circumstances. Since then whenever I am whatever I do I stop my thoughts and focus on the sound and lyrics absorbing it...

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, and perhaps least known ballads given to us by Michael Jackson. Exquisite lyrics, insightful, thought provoking. Deep messages within the context of this song. An incredible, timeless piece of art which rings true this very day. This song asks a question, and it is up to all of us to realize that the answer lies within our choices. Heal the world. Make it a better place.

this is one of my favorite ballads. i love the stripped down instrumentation with mike's complex lyrics. his voice sounds absolutely beautiful on this one. i love how he can cry and sing with such conviction and power at the same time. it still brings me to tears sometimes. xoxoxo, estela

This service respects the copyrights. All the rights of the authors of the protected works, reproduced and communicated on this site, are reserved.
Except express authorization, any use of works other than listening within the framework of the family circle is strictly prohibited.